Pires turned down Chelsea

Robert Pires revealed today that he rejected the chance to join Chelsea during the summer.

The Arsenal midfield player received the approach through an intermediary last May while taking a break before the Confederations Cup tournament in France. But he turned down the move and went on to negotiate a new three-year deal with Arsenal.

"They made me a proposition," said Pires ahead of tomorrow's visit of Chelsea to Highbury.

"They wanted to sign me, but I preferred to stay at Arsenal. It was an easy decision to make because I love playing for Arsenal. I always wanted to stay at the club."

The approach was made before Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea, sparking a spending spree that Pires believes may turn out to be a mixed blessing for a team who now lead the Premiership on goal difference from Arsenal.

"With the number of quality players who have come to the club, Chelsea have made it clear how much they want to win the championship. That is positive for the players and positive for supporters. It shows ambition.

"However, you also have big players who are used to being first choice and everyone wants to play. That is normal. For the moment everything is going well. but the problems may come when Chelsea lose a game, when they suffer a defeat."

Pires also revealed that he approached Arsene Wenger earlier this season to discuss his own form after being dropped for the games against Manchester United and Newcastle.

"I was disappointed to be on the bench for those two matches because those are the kind of games you want to play in.

"When I asked Arsene Wenger why I was left out, he said he wanted to give me a rest, that I needed one. We discussed the situation and I accepted what he said. And after that break, I played in Moscow and in Liverpool and felt much better.

"I know I have looked poor at times this season. Much of the problem was caused because I started my preparations later than many of the players because of the Confederations Cup in the summer.

"That meant, after my holiday, I was behind in my pre-season work and it has taken me time to find my rhythm."

Ray Parlour is struggling to be fit for tomorrow's game after hurting an ankle in training. Manager Arsene Wenger is already without Patrick Vieira, who is suspended.

But Frederik Ljungberg and Dennis Bergkamp are both fit after three weeks out with injury.

Ljungberg's ankle problem has cleared up and he is a contender to play, while Bergkamp has had 10 days of full training after picking up a calf injury.